[cbkaty]

Scary stuff! I am familiar with a handful of lawmakers that I wouldn't trust to wash my car much less run the country without a real quorum.

[SpyGuy]

My bet is that, from this point forward, the Democrats will always keep a greater number of Congressmen absent from Washington (as compared to Republicans). That way, if the Capitol goes up in smoke, the Democrats would automatically assume control.

Of course with Senators like Kerry, it won't be difficult for them to keep a majority absent!

[joesnuffy]

first, I think it's unconstitutional,'' said Norm Ornstein,

Doubt our fearless leaders will let a little thing like the US Constitution stand in their way...

imo

[ovrtaxt]

I would think that the government ceasing to function for a while would save us a lot of money.

[G.Mason]

Under those ``catastrophic circumstances'' the rules change to ...

HOME RULE!

[NautiNurse]

This is positively frightening, particularly because the Dems consider losing an election a national calamity.

[KillTime]

Right before 9-11 Hollywood was in the process of making a movie where virtually all three houses of gov't were killed. The story followed a lone congressional aids (or somesuch) attempt to maintain the US gov't. It was shelved after 9-11, but with all the doomsday films out since, I wonder if they will continue to make the film.

[goldstategop]

Congress can determine through its rules what constitutes a quorum. And one can make a case that if the majority of Congresscritters were wiped out in an attack or natural disaster, those left could still conduct business. Of course vacancies would have to be filled by constitutional procedures as soon as possible.

[cynicom]

The sheep have lots of good grazing, they wont notice.

[Smokin' Joe]

This reeks of the shenanigans used to pass the Federal Reserve Act.

D@mned dangerous!

[AuH2ORepublican]

PING

[Destro]

Travis, you magnificent bastard! I read your book!

I guess the only thing you got wrong was who the bad guys would be - Just like only Nixon could go to China; only so called conservative Republicans can put an end to constitutional govt.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Would ``catastrophic circumstances'' include a playoff game involving the Washington Redskins?

[cgbg]

I am surprised they failed to adopt this doctrine so necessary to the survival of the species:

Dr. Strangelove:

Regrettably, yes. But it is, you know, a sacrifice required for the future of the human race. I hasten to add that since each man will be required to do prodigious... service along these lines, the women will have to be selected for their sexual characteristics which will have to be of a highly stimulating nature.

;-)